Truss.



R. CARTWRIGHT.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1911.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Snow/1 :01 B, Cafizwfqht 6 Mom;

cuLuMulA PLANOORAPN (70.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

R. GARTWRIGHT.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1911.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. u. C.

. reduced RICHARD CARTWRIGHT, 0F SALEM, OREGON.

TRUSS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 13, 1912.

Application filed August 29, 1911. Serial No. 646,615.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD GARTWRIGIIT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, in the county of Marion and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in trusses, and has for its leading object the provision of an improved form of combined truss and support for surgical dressings after operations for abdominal hernia.

The further object of my invention is the provision of a truss embodying improved resilient means for forcing the pad portions thereof against the wearer with any desired pressure.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved form of adjustably mounted pad for being resiliently pressed against the body by the spring of my truss.

Other objects and advantages of my improved truss will be readily apparent by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that I may make any modifications in the specific structure shown and described within the scope of my claim without departing from or exceeding the spirit of my invention.

Figure 1 represents a view of my truss in position. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged perspective view of the truss. Fig. 3 represents a cross sectional view thereof. Fig. 4 represents an enlarged sectional view through one of the pads and securing means therefor. Fig. 5 represents a view of a modified construction or adaptation of my device, and Fig. 6 represents a detailed view of one of the plates of this construction.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the body band or belt of my improved truss which has the enlarged slightly padded portion 2 terminating in an upwardly extending guide loop 3 through which is passed the end 4 of the belt having the holes 5 therein for the buckle 6 which is secured on the padded portion 2 of the belt. Said padded portion 2 has the pocket 7 formed therein to receive the curved blade or leaf spring 8 which extends the major part of the length of the padded portion of the belt and is of such curvature as to impart an inward or convex curvature to the body en gaging face of the belt.

Secured to the padded portion 2 as by a reinforcing plate 9 embedded therein is the projecting threaded lug or tang 10 adapted to be engaged in the threaded socket 11 formed centrally of the plate 12. Said plate 12 has rounding outward from its edge the padded dome or pad member 13 for engaging the portion of the body to be braced or supported by my truss. To secure the plate and pad in. adjusted position on the tang 10, I mount on said tang the clamp nut Ll adapted to be tightened against the plate 12 to lock the same in position. A metallic strip 9 is provided and is arranged between the padded portion 2 and against the inner face of the body belt 1 and serves to support the heads of the securing bolts 10, said strip forming in effect, a brace for the bolt heads. It is obvious that if the bolts were supported at their headed ends by the body belt alone there would be a tendency for the same to wabble and add discomfort to the wearer. It will thus be seen that the adjustment of the pads on their supporting tangs or lugs 10 will vary their pressure against the body by lessening the tension of the belt and spring. To securely hold the pads in place and at the desired pressure, I secure to the plate portions 12 thereof the perineal strips 15 adapted to fit in the perineum, while secured to the ends of the said strips 15 are the straps 16 to pass around the hips and have their ends engaged in the buckles 17 secured on the front portion of the belt 1.

In the modified construction of my invention, I have illustrated my device as adapted for use in retaining in position a surgical dressing, and in this construction I secure to the plates 9 the oval plates 18 having ventilation apertures 19 formed therein, the bow of the spring 8 pressing these plates against the dressing to firmly hold the dressing in position. These plates having projecting from their rear face the lugs 20 to which are pivotally secured the pivot loops 21 of the perineal strips 15 having the straps 16 for engaging the buckles 17 as in the preferred form of the invention.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the construction of my improved truss will be readily understood, and it will be seen that I have provided a simple, and thoroughly practical truss which may be used as an ordinary truss or in which the usual pads may be removed and pressure plates substituted to hold a surgical bandage or dressing in position.

I claim:

The combination with a belt having a pocket, of a concavo-convex leaf spring fitting in said pocket, a metallic strip arranged in the pocket against the inner face of a portioniof the belt, reinforcing plates mounted on the inner surface of the belt, bolts having their heads secured in the strip and being braced thereby, said bolts then passing through the reinforcing plates to firmly secure the same to the belt, lugs project-ing from said plates for adjustably supporting hollow pad members and means for holding said pads in adjusted positions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD OARTWRIGHT. Witnesses:

R. SHELTON, R. D. BYRD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

